Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, speaking at Stockton-on-Tees on Tuesday, let it
be clearly understood that he does not entertain the idea of again becoming Leader of the House. "I know that I accepted the office most reluctantly in 1885, that I insisted upon resigning it in 1886—I am afraid against the wishes of Lord Salisbury, and certainly against the strong remonstrances of Lord R. Churchill, who succeeded me—because in my judgment another person was better qualified to fill that post than myself. And as I hold that opinion still, I neither expect nor desire that that office should be conferred upon me." This statement is in every way honourable to the President of the Board of Trade, and may be regarded as final. The rest of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's speech calls for no special remark, unless it be his reiteration of the right of the House of Lords " to secure to the people of this country the power of pro- nouncing aye' or 'no' upon a definite plan for so vital a change in our Constitution as the adoption of Home-rule." It is curious to note that it is now an accepted maxim of the Constitution that the power of the Lords, as regards con- stitutional legislation, does not extend beyond the right of insisting on a Referendum by means of a General Election.
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